Bought a house...need some recs for changes we want to make (Plano: contractors)

[MSC31]

We went under contract on a house in West Plano. It is a much smaller house than our previous so we have been brainstorming some ways that could make the house work slightly better for us.

Paint walls, doors and trim in the kitchen, family room area
Paint the kitchen cabinets inside and out
Remove the carpet downstairs and match existing hardwood (we will refinish all the wood and go slightly darker)
Look at removing cabinetry by fireplace and replacing with bookshelves
Have bookshelves built for small rec room

There are two other things we are considering. I would love to hear some feedback. First is removing wet bar to give us a little more space. The second is to floor in the two story entry at foyer and make the upstairs section (approx 11x6 feet) into a reading nook with built in bookshelves on two side walls and around large window on the front of the house. Our family reads a lot and there is absolutely no place in this house for books so we are trying to be creative and add storage where we can.

I would love some names of contractors, painters etc so I can start doing my research now before we move in July. If there are companies that are a definite no to work with that would be great to know too.

Thanks so much!!!

[WorldKlas]

If the kitchen is open to the living areas its a great idea to remove the wet bar for more space.

[MSC31]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

If the kitchen is open to the living areas its a great idea to remove the wet bar for more space.

The kitchen is open to the whole area. I would have to see about the doorway that leads into it off of the hallway. We would probably out our small game table there if we moved it. My husband and daughter like to play chess and there is no place for the table now.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by MSC31

We went under contract on a house in West Plano. It is a much smaller house than our previous so we have been brainstorming some ways that could make the house work slightly better for us.

Paint walls, doors and trim in the kitchen, family room area
Paint the kitchen cabinets inside and out
Remove the carpet downstairs and match existing hardwood (we will refinish all the wood and go slightly darker)
Look at removing cabinetry by fireplace and replacing with bookshelves
Have bookshelves built for small rec room

There are two other things we are considering. I would love to hear some feedback. First is removing wet bar to give us a little more space. The second is to floor in the two story entry at foyer and make the upstairs section (approx 11x6 feet) into a reading nook with built in bookshelves on two side walls and around large window on the front of the house. Our family reads a lot and there is absolutely no place in this house for books so we are trying to be creative and add storage where we can.

I would love some names of contractors, painters etc so I can start doing my research now before we move in July. If there are companies that are a definite no to work with that would be great to know too.

Thanks so much!!!

Thoughts:
1. Removing the wet bar sounds like a great idea in general. If the sink is along the wall I might try to figure out a way to leave it functioning.

2. I'd consult an AC expert about sealing off the area above you foyer. It's somewhere between possible and very likely that portion of your house is significantly cooled by air from your second floor AC unit. The last thing you want to do is create a "hot spot" in that area especially if that area is on the west side of your home.